Medical management of congenital eyelid eversion in a newborn using topical antibiotics: A case report

Abstract

Congenital eyelid eversion is a rare neonatal condition characterized by outward turning of the eyelid and conjunctival chemosis. Although generally benign, its dramatic appearance often causes anxiety and prompts early medical intervention. This report describes a 3-day-old female neonate who presented with unilateral right upper eyelid eversion and significant chemosis, with no associated discharge or systemic abnormalities. The condition was successfully managed using only topical antibiotics—freshly prepared crystalline penicillin eye drops diluted to 1:10,000i.u every two hours and chloramphenicol eye ointment every six hours. Notably, no hypertonic saline, eye padding, or surgical intervention was used, and the baby was not admitted. The mother adhered to the treatment and follow-up instructions. Remarkable improvement was seen within three days, and complete eyelid reversion occurred by the fourth week. This case highlights the effectiveness of simple topical antibiotic therapy alone in managing congenital eyelid eversion, offering a practical solution for primary care and maternity units, especially in low-resource economy.